Eight runs separate Ben Vorster and Merensky Landbou Akademie in Tzaneen
For the first time in several years, the 50-over spoils in the Tzaneen derby fell the way of the Black Caps of Hoërskool Ben Vorster, who held their nerve to claim a narrow eight-run victory over Merensky Landbou Akademie in Section D of the Finsbury League on Saturday.
It was the first of several encounters between the sides from behind the citrus curtain in 2026 across different leagues.
The same Ben Vorster group that won on Saturday had already tasted success against their rivals late last year when they dethroned them as the Limpopo champions in the Switch Schools SA20 competition.
The Black Caps made the correct call at the toss and elected to bat first, posting a competitive 171 before being dismissed in the 41st over.
While not a commanding total, it was one that still required discipline and application to chase down. Ruben Pohl, a key figure in the Ben Vorster batting line-up over recent seasons, led the way with a top score of 36.
He was well-supported by Wilhelm Brummer and Aidan von Straate. Von Straate anchored the innings with a composed 31, while Brummer injected late momentum with a valuable 32 not out from just 28 deliveries.
The lanky Logan Janse van Rensburg was the hosts’ standout with the ball, sending down a full quota of 10 overs while nabbing an impressive 4/24.
However, ultimately, the difference came from the bowling of Rivoningo Chauke, the Black Caps’ Cubs Week representative, whose four-wicket haul proved decisive. He claimed 4/34 from 8.1 overs, while Talent Ndlovu provided excellent support, taking 3/29.
Despite their good returns, an inflated extras count from the Ben Vorster attack nearly proved costly. If they improve on that, they’ll be a far more dangerous team in the remaining two rounds of the competition.
In Meyerton, Hoërskool Dr Malan captain Heinrich Jansen van Rensburg continued his remarkable run of form, striking his third consecutive century as the Dokkies secured a hard-fought three-wicket victory over Heidelberg Volkskool.
The victory target of 226 was set largely through the efforts of Dave Pelzer, whose unbeaten 93 was the foundation upon which the Volkies’ innings was built.
In Dr Malan’s reply, Jansen van Rensburg was as devastating as he had been in the preceding two weeks. The Dokkies’ skipper needed just 63 balls to compile a blistering 111, an innings featuring 14 fours and five sixes.
He was superbly supported by Jacques Nel, whose fluent 62 played a match-winning role in their decisive 180-run partnership.
In Klerksdorp, an outstanding all-round display from Jandré Greyling underpinned Hoërskool Wesvalia‘s commanding 90-run victory over Hoër Tegniese Skool Middelburg.
Greyling first starred with the bat, top-scoring with a brisk 65 from 60 balls, as Wesvalia posted an imposing 267/4 from their 50 overs. He then delivered a decisive 5/39 in eight overs with the ball to set up his side’s win.
Ethan Walker, with 20 runs and 2/22, and Ziandré Stopford, with 24 and 2/37, also enjoyed productive all-round outings to complement Greyling‘s match-defining performance.
Summarised scorecards
Ben Vorster 171/10 (Ruben Pohl 36, Wilhelm Brummer 32*, Aidan von Straate 31, Christiaan Duvenhage 29, Extras 20; Logan Janse van Rensburg 4/24, Schalk Rossouw 3/23, Altus Vorster 2/35); Merensky 163/10 (Extras 43, James Durant 19; Rivinongo Chauke 4/37, Talent Ndlovu 3/29). Ben Vorster won by eight runs.
Heidelberg Volkskool 225/9 (Dave Pelzer 93*, Quentin Dietrechesen 38, Vaughn Steynvaart 37, O’Neill Ponton 3/39, Damian du Plessis 2/28); Dr Malan 228/7 (Heinrich Jansen van Rensburg 111, Jacques Nel 62; Francois Smith 4/24, Jaco Botha 2/51). Dr Malan won by three wickets.
Wesvalia 267/4 (Jandré Greyling 65, L Maritz 49, Quwen Fourie 40*, Jordan Lategan 25, Ziandré Stopford 24, Ethan Walker 20, Extras 20; Henco Britz 2/26); HTS Middelburg 177/10 (Eddie Harris 38, Armand Kotze 31, Hugo Bierman 25; Jandré Greyling 5/39, Ethan Walker 2/22, Ziandré Stopford 2/37). Wesvalia won by 90 runs.
